Novelty deer head

ABSTRACT

A novelty deer head includes a simulated deer head; a base adapted to mount to a structure that retains the deer head; an activator that activates the device; and a sound generator that, when the device is activated, simulates sounds made by deer. The sounds may include a deer snorting or a deer&#39;s antlers rattling. The sounds may be produced by a speaker or from antlers that actually rattle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to novelty devices and more specifically to a novelty deer head that resembles a deer's head and makes sounds like a deer.

Novelty talking animals provide a humorous effect by producing sounds and animated movement. Such devices are generally intended for entertainment purposes, in contrast to highly lifelike decoys intended to be used in the field. Such novelty devices do not necessarily reproduce the sounds actually made by the simulated animal, e.g. a singing fish does not reproduce sounds actually made by real fish.

Deer may make characteristic sounds, which can be identified by hunters, such as snorting in response to a bad smell, or rattling of antlers as a threat. A novelty item that reproduced these deer-related sounds or movement would especially appeal to deer hunters. Such items could be placed in homes, to enhance social situations, or in commercial establishments such as hunting lodges or dens to enhance the appeal of the establishment.

It would be desirable to have a simulated deer head that makes humorous sounds or movement or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device includes a simulated deer head; a base adapted to mount to a structure that retains the deer head; an activator that activates the device; and a sound generator that, when the device is activated, simulates sounds made by deer.

In another aspect of the present invention, a device includes a head that models the head of an animal; a base adapted to mount to a structure that retains the head; an activator that activates the device; and a sound generator that, when the device is activated, simulates sounds made by the animal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, which can be used in industry and include the best mode now known of carrying out the invention, are hereby described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description, or may be learned without undue experimentation. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention” or what the embodiment “is,” is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner and process of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed in the claims does not necessarily indicate that the steps must be performed in that order.

An embodiment of an animated novelty device may include a model of a deer's head and antlers and may simulate some of the sounds made by a live deer. The sounds emitted by the device may include a snorting and rattling of antlers. A snorting sound may simulate the sound made by a deer when it smells something it does not like, so as to provide a humorous effect. A rattling sound may simulate the sound made by a deer when it is aggressive, such as when in fear of attack or during mating season. An embodiment may be identified or associated with a humorous name, such as “Buckee” or “Buckee the nedneck deer.”

An embodiment of a model deer head may make sounds that deer make, such as, but not limited to, antler rattling, grunt sounds, and bad smell snorts. Embodiments may produce sounds from a recording. Embodiments may only make the sounds that a typical deer might make. Embodiments may rattle simulated antlers to provide a rattling sound.

An embodiment may move so as to enhance the humorous effect. A mouth may open and close, and the head may turn to the side or shake the antlers. Movement may correspond to the sounds produced, e.g., the mouth may open at the same time a snorting sound is emitted, and then close when the snorting sound terminates.

Embodiments may be made of plastic, wood, metal, or other materials. A base may be provided that attaches to a structure, such as a wall or pole, and a synthetic model of a deer head may extend from the base away from the structure. The deer head may be generally the same size as an actual stuffed deer head, giving the appearance of a trophy produced by taxidermy, or may be smaller.

The device may include a button or momentary switch that, when pushed, activates the device so as to make the sounds or movement. The device may be activated by other means, such as by remote control, by a microphone that detects appropriate signaling sounds such human clapping or speech, or by a motion detector that detects movement in the presence of the device. To use an embodiment, a user may install batteries and activate the device. Embodiments may include additional controls to effect settings options, e.g., to select which of a set of sounds or movements the device will make when activated (e.g. snort, rattle, or grunt).

As depicted in FIG. 1, an embodiment of a novelty device 10 may include a simulated deer head 12 that extends from a mounting base 14. Deer head 12 may have antlers 16 and a mouth 18. Base 14 may have a label 20 that provides a name, such as, for example, “Buckee”. Embodiments may provide motion, where the antlers 16 shake for a rattling effect, or the mouth 18 opens and closes to correspond with playback of sound recordings. Embodiments of the head 12 may turn or bend in synchronization with the emitted sounds. Embodiments may model a desirable trophy, e.g. a mature buck with numerous points on its antlers.

As depicted in FIG. 2, an embodiment of a novelty device 30 may include an electronics and actuator linkage compartment 32, with actuator arms 34 and a speaker 36. A momentary switch 38 or other activator, when closed, may complete a circuit with batteries 40. When the circuit is closed, embodiments may play recorded sounds from the speaker 36, and may also provide synchronous movement of the antlers or mouth or both. Embodiments may provide sounds resulting from the physical movement, such as a rattling sound produced by the movement of the antlers.

Embodiments of a deer head may be that of a white-tailed deer or other animal associated with hunting for trophies. These trophy animals generally are land-based, and large enough to attract the attention of sportsmen hunters, such as quadrupeds. Alternate embodiments may include commonly hunted land-based animals that produce humorous sounds other than deer, such as wild boar or turkeys. Embodiments may be placed in homes, hunting lodges, or dens, to provide a humorous effect. Embodiments may provide simulations of the sounds actually created by deer or other hunted animal, e.g. sounds made when the hunter has been detected by the animal, so as to provide a humorous effect to users. 

I claim:
 1. A device comprises: a simulated deer head; a base adapted to mount to a structure that retains the deer head; an activator that activates the device; and a sound generator that, when the device is activated, simulates sounds made by deer.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sounds include a simulation of a deer snorting.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sounds include a simulation of a deer's antlers rattling.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a speaker that produces the sounds.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: antlers on the deer head that rattle to simulate the sounds of a deer's antlers rattling
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the activator includes a push button that activates the device when the button is pushed.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a mouth on the deer that opens and closes in synchronization with the sounds.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an actuator arm that causes at least a portion of the deer head to move in synchronization with the sounds.
 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a label that identifies a name to be associated with the deer.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device makes the sounds that a typical deer makes.
 11. A device comprises: a head that models the head of an animal; a base adapted to mount to a structure that retains the head; an activator that activates the device; and a sound generator that, when the device is activated, simulates sounds made by the animal.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the animal is a trophy animal.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the animal is selected from the list consisting of: deer, boar, and turkeys. 